A net loss … if GM survives: Comments on Lutz’s retirement

Dealers and analysts sound off on Bob Lutz’s decision to leave General Motors after almost eight years as its product development chief. GM announced today that Lutz, 76, will become an adviser on April 1 and retire by year end.

“He’s always been a product guy, which is something dealers have always needed and wanted and need today more than ever before. I’m more concentrating on the very, very near-term future right now. If General Motors doesn’t make it, we’re not going to see any of that new product.”

John Casesa, automotive adviser, Casesa Shapiro Group LLC, New York :

Auto analyst John Casesa

“I was afraid this day would come because he’s the last of a breed in Detroit: a product-driven executive who understands the customer. The non-U.S. automakers are still very much steeped in the product and the customer, but that has not been the practice in Detroit for decades. You worry that GM will lose the product momentum that it had just begun to build.”

Jim Hall, analyst, 2953 Analytics, suburban Detroit:“He’s turning 77. That’s a long time to be traveling the way he is and run the schedule that he runs, and at some point in time, you just need to slow down. The problem is, GM doesn’t need a slow Bob Lutz. He put conscience back into product development at General Motors, and the question is: Will it stay there? Only time is going to tell.”

“What was of importance to him, his team now understands. I’m very confident that he was there long enough that his DNA will remain. He’s worked more years than most of us are ever going to work.

Efraim Levy, equity analyst, Standard and Poor’s:

Analyst Efraim Levy

“I would consider it a net loss to the company. His know-how and his gut feel were all assets to the company. It will take time for someone to replace his stature in terms of ability to cut through the red tape.”

“I’m not surprised, given Bob’s age, but I think he’s done a lot for GM. I think just about every product he’s touched has been a winner and an improvement over what came before — the (Cadillac) CTS, the (Chevrolet) Malibu and the crossovers.”

Mike Jackson, CEO, AutoNation Inc.:

AutoNation CEO Mike JacksonPhoto credit: JOE WILSSENS

“Bob’s leadership unleashed the design talent at General Motors from the shackles of a moribund development process. The results are clear today and will be even more so in the future: world-class products with distinctive design and outstanding fit and finish. Interiors are his greatest triumph. Third world to world class in record time.”

Fin O’Neill, president, J.D. Power and Associates:

J.D. Power and Associates President Fin O’Neill

“He’s really the poster boy for car guys, and there’s nobody that has that complete set of characteristics, so he’s really going to be missed. I think he showed the way. Whether the folks will follow all depends.”

George Peterson, president, AutoPacific:

“You have to pay attention to the right things as you’re developing these products. He’s gotten them focused, and now there’s a more routinized process that they use in developing their products. This is something that they’ve needed for decades. No one has the persona of Lutz, so the process has to live based on what it is, not on who’s at the top. Hopefully the process is in place enough that it can run when Tom Stephens, not Lutz, is at the top.”